paranymph

[ par-uh-nimf ]

noun

1. a groomsman or a bridesmaid.
2. (in ancient Greece)
   1. a friend who accompanied the bridegroom when he went to bring home the bride.
   2. the bridesmaid who escorted the bride to the bridegroom.

paranymph

/ ˈpærəˌnɪmf /

noun

1. archaic.
   a bridesmaid or best man

Word History and Origins

Origin of paranymph¹

1585–95; < Late Latin paranymphus < Greek paránymphos (masculine and feminine) groomsman, bridesmaid, literally, person beside the bride. See para- ¹, nymph

Word History and Origins

Origin of paranymph¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek paranumphos, from para- ¹+ numphē bride (literally: person beside the bride)

Example Sentences

Paranymph, par′a-nimf, n. a friend of the bridegroom who escorted the bride on the way to her marriage: a bride's-man: one who countenances and supports another.

From Project Gutenberg

In the evening, the "fiancee" is conducted to her new home in a flowered chariot between her husband and the paranymph, escorted by torch-bearers and flute-girls.

From Project Gutenberg

And so, as with fire and thunder—“thunder of thought, and flames of fierce desire”—is this Marriage of Heaven and Hell at length happily consummated; the prophet, as a fervent paranymph, standing by to invoke upon the wedded pair his most unclerical benediction.

From Project Gutenberg

The function of the bridegroom’s friend, or paranymph, was to ask the hand of the bride for the bridegroom, and to arrange the marriage.

From Project Gutenberg

These crowds you complain of are evidence that I have not discharged the function of paranymph in vain.

From Project Gutenberg